Aerosol can holder

ABSTRACT

A device integrating into a single hand-operated unit of convenient size, the expendable material and accessory equipment needed to provide, apply, distribute, brush and buff a wax or similar polish on the shoe, during which entire process the hand holding the shoe is not caused to relinquish its grip thereon. Additionally, new and useful means of insertion, retention and removal of an aerosol can into and from proposed housings serving as integrated shoe cleaning-polishing devices, and identification window apertures in the backing shell of such housings, are described.

United States Patent 11 1 1111 3,881,628 Brainerd et al. May 6, 1975AEROSOL CAN HOLDER 3,272,391 9/1966 Meshberg 222/183 [76] Inventors:Andrew w. Brainerd; Kent H. Qljjfggg Brainerd; swaflw- Braillerdfi"3,467,243 9/1969 Butcher 215/12 R 0/0 1 N. Lasalle St., Winnetka, HI.60602 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS Filed: Mar. [973 2l9,l88 6/196!Austria 222/183 PP 1 Primary Examiner-William l. Price Related Us.Application Data Assistant Examiner; Stephgrl1 Mar i us I w I Divisionof $61. No. 129,006, March 29, 1911, Pat. g g flg g No. 3,722,021, whichis a continuation-in-part orsei. No. 39,275, May 21, I970, abandoned,

[57] ABSTRACT [52] 220/17; 206/229; g A device integrating into a singlehand-operated unit [51] Int Cl 865d 83/14 of convenient size, theexpendable material and acces- 53 Field of Search 401/190; 15/107;220/17, 22: 1:22??? jgf fig bsg gg15:33 220/85 H 9 F 14 69' 215/12 R 13R p h 5 5 3 142 173 dunng whlch entlre process the hand holdmg the shoeis not caused to relinquish its grip thereon. Additionally, new anduseful means of insertion, retention and removal of an aerosol can intoand from proposed [56] References cued housings serving as integratedshoe cleaning-polishing UNITED STATES PATENTS devices, andidentification window apertures in the 2,972,768 2/1961 Petion 15/107 Xbacking shell of such housings, are described. 3,102,544 9/1963 Keeganet al 222 183 3,184,] 15 5/1965 Meshberg 222/l83 6 Chums, 47 DrawingFlames RXTENIEEHAY E75 388L628 SHEET 30F s 2 1 Fig. 26

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PATENTEDMAY 6 ms SHEEI ESP 6 AEROSOL CAN HOLDER RELATED APPLICATION Thisapplication is a divisional application of a copending application Ser.No. 129,006, filed Mar. 29, 1971, entitled Shoe Cleaning-PolishingDevice and Method of Making Same," now US. Pat. No. 3,722,021; whichapplication was in turn a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No.39,275 filed May 21, 1970, now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION One of the most disagreeable household tasksyet unaided by the advance of science, is the shining of shoes, a factbelieved to result from the lack of creativity and invention contributedto date in the field.

The present inventions relate generally to the use and refinement ofmanually operated shoe polishing devices employing an aerosol cancontaining shoe polish. Though obvious in concept, utilization of theaerosol can as such in this context does not, to applicants knowledge,reflect in any prior invention, although Petion, US. Pat. No. 2,972,768,issued on Feb. 28, 1961, does refer to a pressurized container which inthe drawings resembles a small cylinder tank with a novel escape valve.However, in Petion the need to use both hands to (a) depress a knob (No.54 on Sheet 1) on the cover and (b) to simultaneously turn the elongatebase plate from one position to another, made it impossible for a personto perform all of the traditional operations in the polishing of a shoewithout causing the hand holding the shoe to repeatedly divert its graspto engage in extrinsic tool manipulations. The inventions claimed in ourco-pending Application, as further improved by novel and usefuladditions and changes now to be described, permit the hand holding theshoe at all times to retain its grip firmly on the shoe while the handholding the device never loses contact with it during the entiresequence of traditional cleaning and polishing operations.

In a context in which millions of persons can be immediately assisted atlow cost to conserve time and strength, any useful improvementadmittedly novel should warrant serious patentable consideration. Eachof the novel features now to be discussed contributes to make moreaccessible (because of their economical cost), more convenient and moreuseful, shoe shining devices containing an aerosol with polish. It isbelieved that taken as a class these devices stand as the firstsignificant technological advance in the art for centuries.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:

It is a general object of this invention to provide novel integratedshoe cleaning-polishing devices which may be held in one hand throughthe traditional sequence of cleaning and polishing procedures while theother hand at all times retains its original fast grip on the shoe,completing all of said tasks in a simplified and economical manner, andsome embodiments of which devices accomplish all of the foregoing stepswithout allowing the motor hand to be dirtied by direct contact with thedauber, brush or buffer.

A purpose of the inventions claimed is the disclosure of new means ofsecuring a fabric (lambswool, cloth, etc.) shoe polishing buffer onto ahousing contoured to the circumference of an aerosol can containing shoepolish, contributing to create thereby an integrated device for thepolishing of shoes.

It is a further specific object of this invention to suggest means ofattaching a shoe polishing brush to said device, by which the device maybe more expeditiously constructed and an improved aesthetic appearanceachieved.

Yet another object teaches means of receiving and retaining aerosol cansin durable housings formed and contoured to the approximatecircumference of said cans, allowing their insertion and removal withoutundue pressure or other strain on said housings.

Yet another object of the inventions here described is the use ofidentification windows within a sleevehousing utilized as a shoecleaning-polishing device, providing a means of contents-identificationas well as economy in manufacture.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A better understanding of the inventionsherein described, their organization and construction, may be had byreferring to the description below in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, of which:

FIG. 1 is a top view of one major embodiment of the integrated shoecleaning-polishing device, showing the housing, the aerosol can and thecompensator ring (otherwise sometimes described as coordinateringcollar), all in assembled relationship;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the same integrated assembly, with the lowerportion thereof in cutaway sectional way to disclose the inner positionof the aerosol can and lower construction;

H6. 3 is a front view of the same embodiment of the invention, but withthe aerosol can raised to show the manner of its insertion;

FIG. 4 shows a further side view of the same embodiment of the devicepictured in assembled relationship with coordinate ring-collar andaerosol can;

FIG. 5 shows a sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 shows a bottom view of the same device taken along line 66 ofFIG. 3;

FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of the buffer portion of the aforesaidsleeve-housing device cut away from the lower balance of the integratedunit;

FIG. 8 shows the same perspective view as FIG. 7, but with the buffer 12removed;

FIG. 9 shows the buffer in its extended length sewn at each end to anelastic strip to form an endless belt which has been cut in this figureto better show the construction;

FIG. 10 shows the buffer in side view, duly sewn to the elastic strip toform an endless belt;

FIG. 1] shows a partial sectional view of the buffer side (approximatelyhalf) of the main housing;

FIG. 12 shows one embodiment of a wedge to be employed as an alternatemeans of securely attaching the buffer strip to the housing device;

FIG. 13 shows a longitudinal sectional view taken along lines 13-13 ofFIG. 15;

FIG. 14 shows an alternate construction of the buffer portion of thehousing, providing a through passageway or channel to accommodate thebuffer and securing wedges, taken along the line 14-14 of FIG. 15;

FIG. 15 shows a sectional view of a portion of the housing and means forsecuring the buffer to the housing, taken along lines 15I5 shown in FIG.13;

FIGS. 16 and 160 show a different type of wedge and means of employingsame within the passageway to accommodate and secure the ends of thebuffer strip;

FIG. I7 is a blown up view of that portion of the brush identified incircle in FIG. 18;

FIG. 18 shows the side of the device devoted to the longitudinal brushwith its said corresponding brush placed above it to indicate positionalrelationship;

FIG. 19 shows one end of one embodiment of the buffer strip, duly sewnin readiness to be placed over the two pins 31 indicated on FIG. 20',

FIG. 20 shows a portion of the buffer side of the housing isolated tomore clearly show the placement of pins and cushioning material;

FIG. 21 is a top view of a housing which, by adding brush and otherelements becomes an integrated shoe cleaning-polishing device, intowhich an aerosol can may be placed and made secure by the protrusionspictured;

FIG. 22 shows an enlarged view of one end of an alternate buffer,cushioning material and housing in assembled relationship;

FIG. 23 is a sectional view of the housing shown in top view in FIG. 21;

FIGS. 24, 25, 26 and 27 show sectional views of various embodiments ofthe protrusions or nibs pictured in FIGS. 21 and 23;

FIG. 28 is a top view of the plastic compensator ring;

FIG. 29 is a sectional view of the compensator ring taken along line29-29 of FIG. 28;

FIG. 30 is a sectional view of the compensator ring taken along line30-30 of FIG. 28;

FIG. 31 is a blown-up sectional view of the ring taken from theencircled portion of FIG. 29, showing the nature of the hooks suspendedfrom the inner circumference of said ring;

FIG. 32 shows a blown-up sectional view of the compensator ring, thechime of the aerosol, and the jointure with the neck of the housingdevice;

FIG. 33 is a blown-up sectional view of another embodiment of theplastic compensator ring invention showing a hook coordinated with amachicolation in the neck of the housing;

FIG. 34 shows the housings neck with machicolations cut to coordinatewith hooks on the inner circumference of the compensator ring;

FIG. 35 is a view in isometric projection of a housing withidentification window aperture coordinated to the trade dress appearingon the label of the can shown in FIGS. 38 and 39;

FIGS. 36 and 37 show views in isometric projection of abbreviatedhousings containing identification window apertures of various sizes andplacements;

FIG. 38 shows a flat view of an aerosol cans trade dress coordinated tothe housing depicted in FIG. 35;

FIG. 39 is a front view of an aerosol can having affixed or printed onit the trade dress shown in FIG. 38;

FIG. 40 is a perspective view of a novel shoe cleaning-polishing devicehaving one handle and three coordinate cleaning-polishing elements(brush, buffer and dauber);

FIG. 41 is a perspective view of a novel shoe cleaning-polishing devicehaving two handles and three cleaning-polishing elements;

FIG. 42 is a cross-sectional view of the device otherwise shown in FIG.40;

FIG. 43 is a cross-sectional view of the device otherwise pictured inFIG. 41',

FIGS. 44, 45 and 46 show alternate handles for use on the devices shownin FIGS. 41 and 40.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring now to the drawings more in detailwherein like numerals designate like elements throughout the variousfigures, FIGS. 1 through 6 show a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention reflecting improvements contained in this ContinuingApplication. It will be noted that this device is in effect a sleevehousing I I in which a replaceable aerosol can 15 is lodged. The lowerend of the sleeve-housing is closed, and protruding from said end adauber 17 is positioned under a removeable protective cap 19 to beconveniently used also as a base. As FIGS. 1 through 6 incorporate mostof the novel features claimed herein as invention, they will now,following this initial general disclosure, be examined in greater detailas the subsequent drawings and explanation make this preferredembodiment the more easily understood.

In FIG. 1 we look down at the same device pictured frontally in FIG. 3as it stands in an upright position on its lower dauber-protective cap19. In FIGS. 1 through 4, an aerosol can I5, containing an expressibleshoe polish, is shown in planned conjunction with the housing: Thebroken-away portion of FIG. 2 illustrates the manner of firmly lodgingthe can within the housing, namely by employing bosses 20 in wedgingrelationship with its lower chime 38.

One notes in FIG. 3 the cut away portion of the compensator ring(coordinate plastic ring-collar) 14. Once this compensator ring 14 isplaced upon the aerosol cans upper chime 38, the can is in condition tobe inserted into the sleeve housing I 1. It is in this closed positionthat the can, the ring and the housing appear in assembled relationshipin FIGS. 1, 2 and 4.

Affixed to this sleeve housing 11 are a buffer 12 and a longitudinalbrush 13 as well as dauber brush 17. In some embodiments it will not benecessary to utilize the dauber brush 17, which would in turn obviatethe necessity for dauber protective cap 19: Under such circumstances,the added diameter footings l8 permit the unit to stand upright freelywithout additional support. The inventions contained in FIG. 5 areexplained in greater detail in the multiple blown-up Figures appearinghereinafter.

Buffer Attachment Means The attachment of a buffing surface to a bufferhandle has been traditionally achieved thusly: A lambswool or otherfleecy material is positioned over a cushioned under-bed, then fixedlyattached at both ends of a rectangular, flat backing. In the case of aplastic sleeve-housing into which neither nails, staples nor screws canbe reliably fastened, different means must be supplied by which tofasten the buffing material to the housing, it being operativelyinsufficient that said ends be simply glued or sewn onto the top andends of the under-bed. Several such novel means are now described,without attempting thereby to limit the scope of the invention ashereinafter claimed.

FIG. 7 shows the buffer 12 on its traditional underbed 21: FIG. 8 showsa cushioning material split equally into two parts 21 longitudinally,placed over a plastic under-bed in the nature of a platform which issimilarly split longitudinally and raised above the level of the upperwall of housing 11. This leaves a passageway or channel 25 between theraised plastic underbed and the housing shell, as well as a slightseparation between the divided underbed halves. This divided resilientsupport remains capable of cushioning the bufi'mg fabric 12 despite thepresence of the center air strip running its entire length.

A strip of buffing material 12 (FIG. 9), somewhat longer than the wholelength of the buffer bed, is made into an endless belt (FIG. 10) bysewing to each of its two ends, one end of a piece of elasticizedmaterial 12A. Taking the buffer shown in FIG. 10 in two hands, with thethumb and forefinger of each layer the sewn joint, it can be seen thatthe elastic 12A may be pulled apart a sufficient distance to allow it topass between the divided plastic under-bed platform of thesleevehousing, over each side of which the sponge rubber strips 21 havebeen placed. As thus extended the elastic is moved longitudinally in asliding motion through the free air space between the sides of resilientsupporting material 21, twisting down into passageway 25 where it isallowed to contact thereby pulling closer together the ends of buffer 12and creating a snug total relationship with the sponge rubber 21 andplastic under-beds.

This solution provides a convenient and aesthetically refinedbufi'er-attachment by a means requiring a smaller amount of resilientsupporting material 21 (due to the dividing air space), and whereby thebuffer ends finally are securely affixed in the interior of the housingat a spot not otherwise accessible. The buffer 12 may be removed byagain stretching the elastic 12A, allowing it to be easily slid outbetween the supporting sponge rubber 21 and plastic under-bed sides.This solution would as a practical matter not be possible if only thelambs wool or other fabric were utilized in an endless belt, due to thedifficulty to be encountered in gluing the supporting resilient materialonto the plastic bed and at the same time achieving a snug fit of thebuffer fabric over the resilient supporting material 21: The passageway25 dimensions would not only have to be measurably increased toaccommodate lambs wool which varies between five-sixteenths tothree-fourths inches in thickness, but a long aperture of a depthsuitable for such heavy material would be aesthetically unattractive,yet necessary to prevent the crowding of the material.

It will be also noted that upon use many buffing fabrics elongate: Wherethe ends are fixedly attached at the ends of the buffer bed the growingslack in the material becomes offensive, yet there is no provision forits disposition. The use of elastic 12A in the buffer 12 under-structure(see FIG. 10) automatically contracts the exposed buffer surface toobviate this surplus goods" problem produced by elongation through use.

Other means of attaching buffing material 12 to a plastic base ofhousing 11, where a supporting resilient material 21 must cushion thebuffer, is shown in FIGS. 12 through 160. Here resort is taken to aplastic wedge 26 having teeth 27 which engage with similar teeth 27A onthe interior sides of the passageway 25A. By first placing the ends ofthe buffer in passageway 25A, then compressing wedge 26 and causing itto pass into the passageway 25A, the wedge 26, having increasing widthand increasing thickness (see FIG. securely fastens the fabric at theend of the channel. Once the teeth 27 of the wedge engage with the teeth27A of the interior of the passageway, the buffer is held securely bypressure of the wedge. Note that this solution does not contemplate adivided bed of resilient material 21, but rather a solid bed 21A over apassageway 25A which no longer needs to be split to allow longitudinalsliding entry of the elastic.

Another species of wedge 26A is shown in FIG. 16 and 16a in which theteeth 27 of the wedge engage against similar teeth 27A in the lower bedof channel 25A (in FIG. 16), compressing hard sponge-like material 28between the jaws of the wedge, with the reversed upper teeth 27B of thewedge preventing the withdrawal or slippage of the buffer fabric oncethe wedge 26A is properly positioned. In both this and the precedingembodiments the wedge may be withdrawn and repositioned at any time totake up slack in the buffer 12 created through use.

A further means of attaching buffing material to a plastic housing foruse as a shoe polishing device is shown in FIGS. 19 and 20. Lambs-wool30 or similar fleecy fabric is cut to a width slightly greater than thatof the under-bed 21A, and a length greater than that of its bed 11A,with the excess goods at both ends being turned under and sewntransversely at 32A into an open loop 32 (FIG. 19). Such a loop, whenslid over the end pins 31 shown in FIG. 20, provides a solid means ofaffixing the buffer to the device, and permits easy replacement of thebuffer when it has become worn.

Each of the aforesaid means of attaching the buffer to the deviceperforms useful purposes not otherwise nor previously achieved by anybuffer or similar device known to Applicants.

Brush Attachment Means The attachment of a polishing brush to asleevehousing of this character, purposing to achieve thereby a shoepolishing device at least partially integrated, presents a fastening oradherence problem aggravated by the active use to which the brush willbe put.

Reference is made to a commercial product sold under the trademarkBRUSHLON (FIG. 17), consisting of an underlayment of urethane 29 intowhich are adhered thousands of bristles 13 in intensive placementthereon. The BRUSHLON underlayment 29 is of uneven height; viewed fromthe side (FIG. 17) its base presents an undesirably irregular appearancewhen used as a basic part of a consumer product such as a shoe shiningdevice for personal use. However, the use of BRUSHLON in the presentintegration is otherwise advantageous because it may be easily cut toany size, and may be readily glued.

FIG. 18 shows a cut-away upper portion of a sleevehousing 11 running theapproximate length of a coordinate aerosol can. The gallery 118surrounding its upper perimeter is believed to be both novel and usefulin the following respects: First, it places a wall in front of andslightly above the brushs underlayment 29 around its entire edge,thereby concealing its irregularity as well as the rough jointure of theotherwise flat backing of the device 11 with the flat base 29 of thebrush. Second, in the production process where manual or even machineplacement of a brush element on an otherwise flat surface is necessary,misplacement may easily occur: Where there is a known recess of fixeddimension and shape into which an object of similar size and contour canbe quickly placed, the problem of misplacement is avoided inasmuch asthe brush can only be lodged accurately within the recess if it is to beplaced there at all. Third, the capability of the brush, when used, towithstand lateral and longitudinal pressures and movements is greatlyincreased where its sides are encased within and lodged against firmwalls: The gallery 118 provides a solidity without which theeffectiveness of the BRUSHLON material for such purposes issignificantly diminished. Fourth, a device of this character receiveshard handling; while in use it is in almost constant contact with shoes.Were the gallery not utilized, the corners especially of the brushmaterial would receive incessant bumping and knocking; by utilizing thegallery or shield" around its corners the brush will not be repeatedlythus pried loose from adherence to the base.

Aerosol Can lnsertion and Retention Means lt has been found that thesleeve-housing device pictured in FIGS. 21 and 23 may be mosteconomically cast first in two lateral halves as the cost of aninjection mold (for quantity production of plastic pieces) is greatlyincreased by its depth; the halves are then joined by gluing. When a canis inserted into the housing, the upper end of this device (it beingthere just large enough to admit the can) is subjected to a stronghorizontal outward pressure at the moment of the passage of the chimes38 (the enlarged diameters of metal at top and bottom of can). Unlessprecautions are taken such lateral force being often reapplied must intime separate the upper portion of the longitudinal halves of thehousing at their common joint.

Applicants have devised a novel means of harmlessly diverting thisseparating force caused by the cans insertion and removal, withoutimpeding the convenience of its use. Reference is made to the six (whichnumber may be greater or less than six) flexible extensions 33 appearingin FIGS. 21 and 23, which extensions are integrally a part of housing11. A circle may be drawn touching the innenrlost tips of the aforesaidextensions 33: This circle, being of lesser diameter than the circleformed by the chime 38 of the inserted can 15, must be increased in sizein order to permit the cans insertion. At the moment of insertion theangle of force upon the extensions 33 lies in a horizontal plane:However, this force does not act directly on the joint which adheresboth halves of the whole housing, but rather simply pushes back the sixraised, flexible extensions 33, resulting in a fulchrurn or hinge effectat their bases. After the chime passes, the extensions return to theiroriginal positions and serve to hold the can firmly within the housing.

The profile construction of the extensions 33, as shown in FIGS. 24, 25and 26, discloses that their thickness increases generally as theyascend, then attenuates at their tip. Upon upward removal of the can thelateral pressures commence just above the level of the housing top;these grow more severe as the can rises, reaching their most destructiveforce at the upper level of the extensions 33 where the sideward forceis imparted least of all to the main devices common longitudinal joint,being spent instead in the flexing of the extensions.

FIG. 27 discloses a type of protrusion or extension different from theothers pictured in that the nib" or plastic extension points downwardrather than up. This configuration operates especially well if thesleeve housing has an open lower end on which similar protrusions havelikewise been placed so that the can is re tained by such protrusions atboth ends serving to retain it snugly from within.

As an alternate construction, the extensions 33 may be affixed to anannular upstanding neck such as neck 24 pictured in FIG. 34 (but withoutmachicolations), or as integral parts of a separate ring affixed to thesaid neck.

Compensator Ring (Coordinate Ring-Collar) to Accommodate Varying CanDiameters The importance of the aforesaid destructive force is greatlyaggravated by one condition which prevails generally in the UnitedStates today within the can industry. For reasons peculiar to their ownstell procurement and manufacturing processes, the large tin cancompanies such as American Can Company and Continental Can Companyrefuse to warrant the outer dimensions of the chimes of cans of thegeneral sizes here under discussion. Not only will these can companiesnot assure purchasers of a responsible tolerance in said diameters, as,for example, plus or minus one thirtysecond inch; but the can companieswill in fact 'not warrant or even express these outside dimensionswithin any tolerance whatever.

it is obviously difficult to design plastic sleevehousings to snuglyaccommodate cans of great potentially varying diameter; if such housingsare merely designed for cans of the usua external dimensions, a minorityof cans might be of a width, say, one-eighth inch greater than theaverage and these few could critically damage the sleeve-housings upontheir forced insertion and removal. One novel and useful method ofachieving secure retention of the can yet with a flexibility sufficientto allow cans of varying external chime dimension to be reliablyinserted into a sleeve-housing having a neck of constant circumference,involves the utilization of a compensator ring as now described. SeeFIGS. 28-34.

A ring 14 made of a flexible plastic-like material is affixed to the topchime 38 of the can of polish by means of multiple hooks 35 whichdescend at planned intervals from the rings inner circumference. Thesehooks are of a length and shape such as to flexibly accommodate theforced insertion of cans of varying diameters, said hooks 35 grippingthe can 15 from underneath the upper chime 38 when the ring is forcedsolidly down over the top of the can. See FIG. 32. The can is preventedfrom moving upward relative to the ring 14 by arcuate lips integrally apart of said ring.

Whereas the housing neck 24 is greater in diameter than the innercircumference of the compensator ring 14 and then the circle (offlexible diameter) of hooks descending therefrom, it is less than thediameter of the n'ngs outer circumference from which a side walldescends. (FIG. 32) When assembled, an annular protrusion 36 on theinside of the outer wall of the ring forms an interference fit with asimilar raised circumference 37 on the outside of the neck of thehousing; both pieces preserve a constant diameter and their respectiveraised circumference 36 and 37 co-act compatibly to insure the can 15being held securely within the device.

As alternatively shown in FIGS. 33 and 34, the neck 24 of the housing 11may be of a slightly lesser diameter, but slotted with machicolations 39of a size, shape, placement and number determined by the size andpositions of the hooks 35 descending from the inside circumference ofthe snap ring compensator. When the ring is positioned on the can andthe can inserted into the housing (FIG. 33), the backs of the hooksprotrude laterally from the cans upper circumference into theirrespective slots cut out of the neck specifically to accommodate suchprotrusions. Where an unusually large chime diameter 38 forces the hooksfar backward, the machicolations in the neck easily accommodate theexcess by permitting the backs of the hooks to further enter the cut-outvoids 39.

Under both alternatives described above, whereas the tips of the hooks35 (normally but not necessarily spaced equidistant about the innercircumference of the ring) can create circles of different diametersdepending upon the diameter of the inserted can, by means of the novelcomparator ring described the can is lodged solidly within the ring (byits circle of hooks) and the ring itself is thereafter lodged firmlyover and on the housing by means of its outer rim of constant diameterinteracting with the constant diameter neck 24 of housing I] being bothunaffected by variances in chime 38 diameter.

Identification Window for Aerosol Housing Reference is made to FIG. 35in which an aerosol can (15, in dotted line) has been packed within asleevehousing 1 l which provides circumferential backings upon which thepolishing tools (brush l3 and buffer 11) are conveniently placed. Theuse of such a housing normally creates a problem ofcontents-identification in that, if made solidly, the walls of thehousing preclude the user or viewer from reading or otherwise learningthe contents of the enclosed can as described on the cans label. Thisdefect is better understood in the knowledge that the sleeve-housing isdesigned to accommodate easiest insertion and withdrawal of randomaerosols, thereby encouraging it to serve as a vehi cle to dispense andto apply polishes of different colors, e.g. black, brown. Thus oneutilizing the device occasionally with different aerosol inserts wouldnot be able to know from looking at the outside of the device, what thecolor then contained in it might be. To alleviate this problem andachieve other useful purposes now described, an identification window isdisclosed in FIG. 35 by which the viewer or user may at once determinethe nature of the contents simply by looking through" the window of thedevice at the contained cans trade dress.

The cost of devices of this character, manufactured for consumption on amass basis, is in large measure determined by the weight of plastic usedtherein. By creating a window in one (or more) side of the device, asignificant amount of plastic is saved without sacrificing strength orfunction. A further economy is achieved in that by utilizing the tradedress already on the can anyway, it is unnecessary to place lettering oran identifying label on that side of the shoe device. Labels of a typeappropriate for this usage cost in quantity from one to three centseach, possibly more depending upon the material used: But even the mostdurable commercial labels, e.g. printed foil, do not withstand theexpected heavy manual use of this type of device, as after even mild usethese become tattered. Cost-savings directly flowing from the omissionof such a label on the device and from the reduction in weight of theplastic material required, are such as justify the use of such anidentification window on an economic basis alone, quite apart from thefunctional contribution of the window.

The window pictured in FIG. 35 does not exhaust the scope or nature ofthe invention described. The window may thus be long and narrow, orthere may be two or more windows critically placed on the housing deviceto disclose information or serve other express purpose. See FIGS. 36 and37. The identification window concept can be also embodied on a secondor even three or four sides of any housing in which an aerosol can iscontained for storage or utilitarian purposes. It is clear that thescope of the invention in relation to housings for aerosol cans goesfarther than reference solely to shoe cleaning and polishing devices.

A full explanation of the identification window must include referenceto the trade dress used upon the can placed within the device. It willbe noticed that the dimensions of the window in FIG. 35 are of aspecific, known size: In the unrolled, flat representation (FIG. 38) ofthe trade dress (which in production would be either printed directly onor in the form of a label wrapped around the aerosol can as in FIG. 39),these same dimensions are directly adopted for correlation with thewindow aperture. The trade dress pictured in FIG. 38 is dividedlaterally into segments of equal size; the size of the segments isdetermined by the size and text requirements of the label interactingwith the window shape and configuration of the housing. It is stressedthat the correlated trade dress or label and identification window areco-equal features of the invention and coordinate parts thereof.

Aerosol Shoe Shine Device With Dirt-Free Handle It will be noticed inFIGS. 2, 3 and 4 of this Continuing Application, for one to clean andpolish shoes utilizing the devices there pictured presents thepossibility of dirtying the motor hand (i.e. the hand holding thedevice) by its contact with longitudinal brush or buffer. It has beenfound through extensive experiment that with aerosol devices employingbuffer, brush and dauber virtually no dirt does in fact reach the handwhen holding the device from either the brush side or the buffer side.However, some persons will no doubt dispute this, and large numbers ofpersons will conclude, however erroneously, in considering the use ofthese devices, that their hand would become dirty by touching the brushor the buffer.

A perhaps unreal, but nevertheless practical problem therefore tends tothwart public acceptance of this device, in that there is a naturaldisinclination on the part of many persons to permit their hands to fallin contact with a surface which, rightly or wrongly, they consider to bedirty. The inventions pictured in FIGS. 40 and 41 solve this problem. Aperson grasping handle 43 has at his immediate control without changingthe hands position on the device, both brush and buffer: In neither casedoes the hand come in contact with an offensive surface.

A further embodiment of the aerosol side handle" concept is pictured inFIG. 41, in which to obtain a slightly more comfortable working positionthan is available in the configuration shown in FIG. 40, two handleshave been constructed, each directly opposite a working surface. Handcontact with any working surface is again totally avoided. Although thisdevice becomes somewhat more cumbersome in its employment,

it nonetheless presents the same dramatic capability of the otherdevices pictured in this entire Application, in which it is possible forone hand alone, without for an instant losing physical contact with thedevice, to perform all of the multiple steps in the polishing of a shoewhile the other hand at no time relinquishes its grip upon the objectshoe.

FIGS. 44, 45 and 46 show alternative handle designs that may be employedwith the embodiments of FIGS. 40 and 41.

The scope of the inventions described is set forth in the claimshereinafter following, and is not confined merely to the precisealternatives described above.

Invention claimed is:

I. An elongate housing device designed to receive an aerosol can or thelike, said housing device having at least one open end defined by anaxially extending neck portion. permitting an aerosol can to be disposedtherein, and means for retaining an aerosol can body in said housing,said means including a ring member capable of being mounted on an upperregion of a can body and including means for attachment to said neckportion, which comprises axially extending wall means formed on saidring and having an effective inner diameter greater than the outerdiameter of said neck por' tion, protrusion means on the inner surfaceof said wall means and corresponding protrusion means on the axial outersurface of said neck portion over which said protrusio means on saidouter wall means are engaged in a snap-fit relation thereby retainingsaid ring on said neck portion.

2. An elongate housing device designed to receive an aerosol can or thelike, said housing having at least one open end defined by an axiallyextending neck portion, which open end permits an aerosol can to bedisposed within said housing device, and means for retaining an aerosolcan body in said housing, said means including a ring member capable ofbeing mounted to an upper region of a can body and including means forattachment to said neck portion, said ring member being engageable witha chime formed on an upper portion of an aerosol can and includesmounting means adapting said ring for the accommodation of an aerosolcan having a chime diameter of potentially varying tolerance, saidmounting means including a plurality of flexible hook members extendingaxially downward of said ring member, each said hook member being joinedto the ring member at a location disposed radially outward of the innerperiphery of said ring member and said inner periphery having a diameterless than that of the can chime, such that upon assembly, the hookmembers may flex radially outward to permit a can chime to pass intoengagement with said ring, with said hook members returning to aposition where they are engaged beneath said chime.

3. A device as defined in claim 2 further including a plurality of slotsformed in said neck portion. said slots being sized and positioned toreceive said hook members when the diameter of a can chime is such thatit would dispose the hook members outwardly of the inner peripheral wallof said neck portion.

4. in combination, an aerosol can containing an expressible product, anda housing device within which said can is mounted, said housing devicehaving at least one open end which includes an axially extending neckportion, said open end permitting an aerosol can to be disposed therein,and means for retaining said can within said housing, which meansincludes a ring member mounted upon an upper region of said can andincluding means for attachment of said ring member to said neck portionwherein said means for attachment of the ring to the neck portioncomprises axially extending wall means formed on said ring and having aneffective inner diameter greater than the outer diameter of said neckportion, protrusion means on the inner surface of said wall means andcorresponding protrusion means on the axial outer surface of said neckportion over which said protrusion means on the outer wall means areengaged in a snap-fit relation thereby retaining said ring on said neckportion.

5. In combination, an aerosol can containing an expressible product anda housing device within which said can is mounted, said housing devicehaving at least one open end which includes an axially extending neckportion, said open end permitting an aerosol can to be disposed withinsaid housing device, and means for retaining said can within saidhousing, which means includes a ring member mounted to an upper regionof the can body and having thereon means for attachment to said nutportion, said ring member being engageable with a chime formed on theupper portion of an aerosol can and includes mounting means adaptingsaid ring for the accommodation of cans having chime diameters ofvarying tolerances, said mounting means including a plurality offlexible hook members extending axially downward of said ring member,each said hook member being joined to the ring member at a locationdisposed radially outward of the inner periphery of said ring member andsaid inner periphery having a diameter less than that of the can chime,such that upon assembly the hook members flexing radially outward topermit the can chime to pass into engagement with said ring, with saidhook members engaged at rest beneath said chime.

6. The combination as defined in claim 5 further including a pluralityof slots formed in said neck portion, said slots sized and positioned toreceive said hook members when the diameter of the can chime issufficiently large that the hook members are thereby disposed outwardlyof the inner peripheral wall of said neck portion.

1. An elongate housing device designed to receive an aerosol can or thelike, said housing device having at least one open end defined by anaxially extending neck portion, permitting an aerosol can to be disposedtherein, and means for retaining an aerosol can body in said housing,said means including a ring member capable of being mounted on an upperregion of a can body and including means for attachment to said neckportion, which comprises axially extending wall means formed on saidring and having an effective inner diameter greater than the outerdiameter of said neck portion, protrusion means on the inner surface ofsaid wall means and corresponding protrusion means on the axial outersurface of said neck portion over which said protrusio means on saidouter wall means are engaged in a snapfit relation thereby retainingsaid ring on said neck portion.
 2. An elongate housing device designedto receive an aerosol can or the like, said housing having at least oneopen end defined by an axially extending neck portion, which open endpermits an aerosol can to be disposed within said housing device, andmeans for retaining an aerosol can body in said housing, said meansincluding a ring member capable of being mounted to an upper region of acan body and including means for attachment to said neck portion, saidring member being engageable with a chime formed on an upper portion ofan aerosol can and includes mounting means adapting said ring for theaccommodation of an aerosol can having a chime diameter of potentiallyvarying tolerance, said mounting means including a plurality of flexiblehook members extending axially downward of said ring member, each saidhook member being joined to the ring member at a location disposedradially outward of the inner periphery of said ring member and saidinner periphery having a diameter less than that of the can chime, suchthat upon assembly, the hook members may flex radially outward to permita can chime to pass into engagement with said ring, with said hookmembers returning to a position where they are engaged beneath saidchime.
 3. A device as defined in claim 2 further including a pluralityof slots formed in said neck portion, said slots being sized andpositioned to receive said hook members when the diameter of a can chimeis such that it would dispose the hook members outwardly of the innerperipheral wall of said neck portion.
 4. In combination, an aerosol cancontaining an expressible product, and a housing device within whichsaid can is mounted, said housing device having at least one open endwhich includes an axially extending neck portion, said open endpermitting an aerosol can to be disposed therein, and means forretaining said can within said housing, which means includes a ringmember mounted upon an upper region of said can and including means forattachment of said ring member to said neck portion wherein said meansfor attachment of the ring to the neck portion comprises axiallyextending wall means formed on said ring and having an effective innerdiameter greater than the outer diameter of said neck portion,protrusion means on the inner surface of said wall means andcorresponding protrusion means on the axial outer surface of said neckportion over which said protrusion means on the outer wall means areengaged in a snap-fit relation thereby retaining said ring on said neckportion.
 5. In combination, an aerosol can containing an expressibleproduct and a housing device within which said can is mounted, saidhousing device having at least one open end which includes an axiallyextending neck portion, said open end permitting an aerosol can to bedisposed within said housing device, and means for retaining said canwithin said housing, which means includes a ring member mounted to anupper region of the can body and having thereon means for attachment tosaid nut portion, said ring member being engageable with a chime formedon the upper portion of an aerosol can aNd includes mounting meansadapting said ring for the accommodation of cans having chime diametersof varying tolerances, said mounting means including a plurality offlexible hook members extending axially downward of said ring member,each said hook member being joined to the ring member at a locationdisposed radially outward of the inner periphery of said ring member andsaid inner periphery having a diameter less than that of the can chime,such that upon assembly the hook members flexing radially outward topermit the can chime to pass into engagement with said ring, with saidhook members engaged at rest beneath said chime.
 6. The combination asdefined in claim 5 further including a plurality of slots formed in saidneck portion, said slots sized and positioned to receive said hookmembers when the diameter of the can chime is sufficiently large thatthe hook members are thereby disposed outwardly of the inner peripheralwall of said neck portion.